User:Eharps15/Cannabis (drug)

Infusions[ edit]
There are many varieties of cannabis infusions owing to the variety of non-volatile solvents used. The plant material is mixed with the solvent and then pressed and filtered to express the oils of the plant into the solvent. Examples of solvents used in this process are cocoa butter, dairy butter, cooking oil, glycerine, and skin moisturizers. Depending on the solvent, these may be used in cannabis foods or applied topically.

Distillate

Cannabis distillate is a cannabis concentrate that is much higher in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than just your basic cannabis flower. There are distinct processes for the extraction so that the compounds can be distilled in the purest form. These methods are referred to as “fractional” and “short path distillation” and have been used for years. The first portion of extraction is the separation of the terpenes and cannabinoids through a CO2 solvent-based extraction. The CO2 process will remove the valuable and volatile compounds while things like fats, and lipids will remain. Because these fats and lipids remain, another refinement process called winterization must occur, this process includes a solvent (most typically ethanol), is used to remove the unwanted compounds.

Aside from winterization, the cannabinoids must also go through the decarboxylation process, where the compounds are activated due to the right amount of heat. The last step in the process is the short path distillation in attempts to purify the THC or CBD depending on the purpose you want it for.

Due to the lack of flavour and aroma creating by cannabis distillate, the opportunities are endless for its use. They can be used through vaporization and inhalation, or even be infused with food to create extremely potent edibles.

The government of Canada has not posted much information of the risks, or even just on vaping cannabis itself, but the have warned consumers that cannabis vaping devices that are sold on the illegal market are not quality controlled and may be contaminated. They also advise that cannabis has risks, some that may be unknown for long and short term use.